‘Untrue’ Iranian film on Prophet roundly slammed by scholars

JEDDAH: Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh has slammed the Iranian-produced film entitled ‘Mohammed Messenger of God,’ saying that Islam does not allow the Prophet, peace be upon him, to be depicted in this manner. He said the film depicts the Prophet in an “untrue light” and undermines the important role he plays in Islam. “This is a mockery of the Prophet and a degradation of his status,” he said.Nearly 140 cinemas in Iran began showing the $40 million film, the most expensive in Iranian history, this week. According to the film’s director Majid Majidi, the aim of the 171-minute production is “to promote Islamic unity.”Majidi said the aim of his work, the first part of a trilogy, is to reclaim the rightful image of Islam, which he said extremists have distorted.Al-Azhar scholars denounced the film last week, demanding that the Iranian government ban it. Abdulfatah Al-Awari, dean of the faculty of theology at Al-Azhar University, said “it is not permitted under Shariah to embody the prophets.”The Muslim World League (MWL) has also denounced the movie, which was shown last Thursday at the Montreal Film Festival in Canada, with scenes characterizing the body and figure of the Prophet (pbuh). Abdullah bin Abdulmohsen Al-Turki, the MWL’s secretary general, said the Prophet should not be represented in this manner. Al-Turki urged Tehran to “suspend and prevent the screening of the movie” and called on Muslims to boycott it.While Iran has denounced cartoons of the prophet like those published by French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, Shiites are generally more relaxed than Sunnis about depiction of religious figures.

Saudi heritage chief launches Korean exhibition in Riyadh

Updated 19 December 2018

Arab News

December 19, 2018 03:04

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RIYADH: Prince Sultan bin Salman, the president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, officially opened an exhibition in Riyadh showcasing Korean history and culture. He was joined at the event by Professor Bae Kidong, the director general of the National Museum of Korea in Seoul, and Korean Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Jo Byung-Wook.
Titled “Korean History and Culture: an Enchanting Journey to the Korean Civilization,” the exhibition — which will be at the National Museum until March 7, 2019 and is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia — features rare artifacts that showcase Korean archaeology, civilization and folklore, as well as a selection of exhibits from the Korean National Museum.
Prince Sultan said that such cooperation in the field of culture and archaeology is very important, especially since Korea has a great and ancient culture, and given its important relationship with Saudi Arabia through the years.
On behalf of the Korean government and people, Prof. Bae expressed his sincere appreciation to the Kingdom for hosting the exhibition.